Bankrate's 7 best cars for teenagers

Terrific cars for teen drivers

If you're a nervous parent, this list can serve as a starting point for choosing a first car for your freshly minted young driver.

Convinced the more sheet metal surrounding your teen, the better, Bankrate didn't include any subcompacts. In fact, four of the choices are mid-size or bigger by Environmental Protection Agency standards.

Because of their high center of gravity and their greater potential for roof-strength accidents, SUVs weren't considered either.

Every car had to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's highest rating of "good" in its crash tests. All of these cars are also IIHS Top Safety Picks.

Bankrate established a price ceiling of $23,000 for cars, having automatic transmissions but before delivery charges are added.

Each car must have EPA-estimated fuel economy of at least 20 miles per gallon in city and highway driving.

Finally, power windows, door locks, outboard mirrors and six air bags are standard in every car.

Your teen may not think some of these cars are cool, but we think safety and cost to own are cool. This is Bankrate's list of the best cars for teenagers.

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